KissMeGoodnight
eLearning Series:
Your Sexual Health
Urinary
Tract Infections: What To Do About Them?
Urinary
Tract Infection (UTI) occurs frequently in women. They can be painful especially when urinating. These
infections are quite awkward when you feel you have to get
up and use the bathroom every few minutes. These infections
make urinating uncomfortable and will be painful while trying.
The reason for urinary tract infections is that bacteria grow
abundantly in the urinary tract. Urinary tract infections are
not just for women. Men also experience the pain and discomfort
of a UTI. Typically, the bacteria that cause this infection
live near the urethra and are normally washed from the body
as a normal function of the body getting rid of toxins. When
the bacteria begin to build up in the urinary tract, the infection
begins and the need for treatment is needed.
What
is the cause of a urinary tract infection? E. Coli is
one culprit in adults. The E. coli bacteria usually reside
in the colon. One reason women may be more susceptible to a
urinary tract infection is that the urethra is very close to
where the source of the bacteria reside. In some women, intercourse
may also trigger a urinary tract infection. The use of a diaphragm
seems to cause frequent urinary tract infections. Other women
may frequently experience these infections while using condoms
and spermicidal solutions. Those who require long-term catheterization
may experience urinary tract infections more frequently.
Some other risk factors may be:
- Kidney stones
- Spinal cord injury that would not enable you to empty your
bladder
- Congenital abnormalities
- Suppressed immune system
- Not circumcised and having poor hygiene
- Certain blood types can actually allow the bacteria to attach
to the lining in the urinary tract
Here are some of the symptoms of a lower UTI:
- Back pain
- Blood in the Urine
- Cloudy Urine
- Frequent desire to urinate and not able to
- Fever
- Painful urination
Here are some of the symptoms of an upper:
- Chills
- High fever
- Nausea
- Pain below the ribs
- Vomiting
During pregnancy, hormonal changes in the urinary tract can
make women at risk for kidney infections. Part of prenatal
care includes you urinating in a cup every single visit. This
is to check for a possible urinary tract infection. A UTI can
cause complications in pregnancy such as premature birth. Diseases
that also contribute to a urinary tract infection are those
that suppress the immune system such as HIV, cancer, and sickle
cell anemia.
Most urinary tract and bladder infections can be treated with
antibacterial medications. Although the symptoms may subside
within a few days, it is important to take the medication for
the time prescribed usually a couple of weeks. Frequent infections
(3 or more per year) may be treated with a low dose antibiotic
for up to six months maybe longer. It is important to continue
follow-up visits to make sure you are free of bacteria in the
urinary tract.
Urinary
tract infections that are caused by bacteria such
as chlamydia and the bacteria that cause pelvic inflammatory
disease (e.g. Gardnerella) require a longer course of treatment
with tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or doxycycline.
Kidney stones and other obstructive problems may lead to urinary
tract infections some of which may require surgery. Kidney
infections may require hospitalization and as many as 6 weeks
of antibiotic treatment to prevent serious kidney damage. Non-prescription
pain relievers and the use of heating pads may also ease the
discomfort. Drinking an abundance of water may help to cleanse
the bacteria from the urinary tract area. Coffee and alcohol
will not help in the cleansing process.
Some preventative measures that can reduce the risk for bladder
and urinary tract infections:
- Avoid products that irritate the urethra
- Prior to intercourse, cleanse the genital area
- Drink a plethora of water daily
- When you have the urge to urinate do not wait
- Showers will help you more than baths in prevention
- After intercourse - urinate
- Women and girls should wipe from the front to the back to
avoid contamination
- Cranberry juice works wonders on the urinary tract
If you follow these preventive measures and take prescribed
medications, your discomfort will soon diminish and you will
be able to be without winching. As uncomfortable as these infections
can be if they are treated promptly they are harmless. # # # # #
by KissMeGoodnight.com
: 2006
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